Book binders



1958 J. P. GUINANE ET AL ,86

BOOK BINDERS Filed June 15, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I I q Dec. 2, 1958 J. P. GUINANE ETAL BOOK BINDERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 15, 1956 INVENTORS (1/1/1215 1? Gum/v6 flWMo/ya [547120-442 A FOP/Vi) United States atent BOOK BINDERS James P. "Guinane', New York, N. Y., and Raymond' F.

'Batchelar, Hillsdale, N -J assignorsfbymesne assignments, toI-Ierculox'Loose LeaflCorp New York, N. Y., a corporation-of New'York Application June 15,1956,SerialNo. 591;760

9 Claims. (Cl. 45 85) This invention relates to book binders or holders as used in telephone book stands -whereone or-more-telephone books are supported-in-a-structure for convenient consultation and maintenance.

Structures for maintaining telephone books where they can be swung up into a reading position or lowe'red into a normal or rest position have 'been -known- -and-are 1 in wide usage. However, the book binders or holders used therein are generally inadequate-becausethey are not adaptable to the variety of different numbers and sizes of telephone bookswhich must be'accommodated in different sections of the country. a I

With the foregoingin-min'd, I havedevised an improved book binder'for eliminating-the-above mentioned difiiculties with a minimum of complexity as regards installation ofbooks or their usage. 3

' The invention will be'further understood from 'the following description and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is'a 'front view, partly'broken away =of a telephone bookstand equipped-with"bookbiriders constructed according to the instant-invention;

Figure 2is a side view as taken along'line 22 Figure 1;

Figure'3 is a top plan view; I

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view as-takemalong'the line 44 of Figure 3; 5

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view:-ofone of the telephone book binders;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view astaken along the line 6'-6 of Figure-5; I

Figure 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional'view as-taken along'the line77 of Figure 6' and showing'the binder locking device in locked position;

-Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 'but'showing the locking device in released position;

Figure 9 is an enlarged,cross-sectional view as taken along the line 9- 9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is an enlarged, cross-sectional 'view' as taken along the line 10 -10 of 'Figure'4;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view as taken along the line 1111 of. Figure 4; and

Figure '12 is an elevational view of the bookremoving actuating tool. I

:R'eferring, for example, toiFigure '3, the-structure comprises a-pair of opposed tables 15 and.'16. which are U-shaped bracket'21 which extends horizontally 'outwardly, its arms 21a and 21b extending parallelyand immediately adjacent to the side walls '18 and 19 respectively and to which the bracket arms are connected.

Also connected to wall- 17 by the same screws 20 are fixed channel members 22 and '23 which extend vertically 2,852,329 Patented Dec. 2, 1858 tdownwardly along the wall andnparallel to each other.

parallel to and adjacent to the bridge portion thereof is a rod 26 which is maintained in place asby removable nuts 27 or any other form of lock or enlargement.

The telephone books in .their binders are ,swingably supported onthe rod :26.

A simplified form of frame is.provide.d,,such;frame comprising. a U-shaped wire frame 28 which is connected as by welding to the outer ends of the bracket. arms 18 and 19 and to the 'table corners, the arms of; the U-shaped frame '28 depending downwardly from thetable. corners -'in-U-shaped form as illustrated in Figures. Land ,2.

From the center of the frame 28at point 30 is welded a central wire 3l-which is in theform of arightangle and is connected at its upper end 32 to the rear. center of the Ushaped bracket 21. .Wire 31 divides the-struc- '-=ture=-into-two compartments each-adapted .to swingably support a telephone book binder as :will hereinafter -be described. For further strengthening means, .wire

"the *binders. "Each binder isexpansible"for-thepurpose of accommodating different sizesand numbers of telephone books.

Thus, referring to Figures 4 and -5, it will be observed that the binders comprise a pair. of

"jfixed rear plates 35 and 36.. which are connected together as'by rivets 37. ---A pairof-outwardly s'lidable iangle plates 38 and 39 are connected by the same rivets- 37 to the back of'fixed -.plate =35. -.'Both ofthe angle plates '38 and-'39 are provided with transverse slots- 40 and 41 respectively so as to permit. the; plates to-be outwardly expanded relative to the central fixed plate 35, and thus expand-"the capacity of the binder. It will be noted thattherivetsffl cannot be tightened'so that it-would appear that the-angle plates 38 and 39 might have, free sliding-play. However, this is prevented-by meansof the locking --device which will be hereinafter described. Connected to the sides of the angle plates 38-and-39 as by rivets 42, are metal strips'43 and binder covers 44.

The binders have improved means-for retaining telephone. books of varying thicknesses and indifferent numbers and meansare further provided to releasably secure ,thebooks within the binder. First, it may be noted that the fixedplate 35 is formed with an'upper rearwardly off-set extension 45 which is rolled atits; outer end to form a hinge arm 46. The hinge arm is pivotally mounted onythe transverse rod 26 which serves as a hinge arm 46.

The plate,36 is employed to support one or more I holding rods 30 which are disposed longitudinally-within upwardly. to form tubular end projections 51 and 52 "which are of inverted U-shape.

0 lower vertical slots53 in which are disposed the hooked Upper end projection 51 is formed with a plurality of ends54 of holding rods 50 (see Figure 11). Lower-end projection 52 is formed with a plurality of upper vertical slots 55 which are formed across the bridge of the inverted U-shaped end projection. Below each vertical slot 55 is provided a hol'einwhich 'th'eflower endof the rod 50 is disposed so that 'such lower end 'is capable of pivotal or swinging movement about the portion 56 of lower end projection 52. f

Rods 50 are elongated and fabricated of a resilient steel although they may obviously be of other suitable material. The upper end of each rod St) is formed, as above mentioned, with an upward hook 54 which is removably received in one of the slots 53. Immediately adjacent to and inward of the upper hook 54 is an inverted U-shaped integral projection 6b which serves as a grasping and actuating member. In order to actuate the rod 50, a tool 61 is provided.

Tool 61 is provided with an open end which fits snugly over projection 60 and, by pressing the tool downwardly so as to urge the hooked end 54 downwardly in slot 53 and then flexing the projection 66 inwardly, the rod 50 may be flexed into bowed form and removed from its locked position with end projection 51. The rod then may be swung about the lower end projection 52 whereupon a telephone book may be removed or a new one locked in position. The rod itself is the subject of a patent application, Batchelar, Serial No. 491,559, filed March 2, 1955.

Referring to Figure 9, it will be noted that two telephone books 65 and 66 are maintained in one binder. Of course, the binder angle plates 38 and 39 are slid outwardlyto a position permitting these books to be retained therein. Book 65 being a thick book, may be provided 7 with two rods 50 spaced at different portions along the book. Book 66 is a thinner book and requires only one rod. It will be evident that many combinations may be provided, and as many rods as may be desired and which can be accommodated may be used. The specific improvement of the resilient rods and their actuating means for unlocking them, has, as aforesaid been more fully described in the co-pending application although it is believed evident that the description given here is suflicient; r

As mentioned above, a locking member is provided for locking the binder in a fixed position. Thus, a pair of downwardly depending plates 70 and 71 are connected to the side brackets of the respective angle plates 38 and 39 as illustrated in Figure 6. T o the lower end of such extensions are secured male and female locking devices respectively so that the locking member is disposed rear- Wardly of the binder structure. The locking device shown is not basically new, its essentials having been disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,869,790. However, a specific improvement has been made therein to adapt it to the instant invention. Thus, referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the male element 72 is connected to plate 71 and is adapted to be gripped by the female element or socket 73 which is connected to plate 70.

Socket 73 comprises a two-piece casing having a top member 74 and a wedge member 75 screwed thereto. Maintained within the socket is a ball carrier 76 having a plurality of base openings in which are supported steel balls 77. A coil spring 78 abutting against an external shoulder of the ball carrier as well as an internal shoulder front 81 followed by an enlargement in the form of acollar 82. It will be observed in Figure 6 that the upper I inner wall portion of ball carrier 76 is threaded at 83.- Threaded section 81 of the tool mates with threaded section 83 and may be employed to pull up the ball carrier relative to the socket 73 so as to release the balls 77 from their frictional gripping position and permit the male element to be withdrawn from the socket. However, it will be observed that the upper end of section 74 of the socket of the balls from the male element 72 is illustrated in Figure 8 while the locking position is illustrated in Figure 7. a

It is believed that the description above should suffice for conveying the construction and operation of the instant device but the same will be briefly summarized as follows: 7

The structure as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 will usually be disposed adjacent to a telephone, generally near or within a public telephone booth. The tables 15 and 16 are illustrated as of varying sizes in order to accommodate the structure to space requirements. The telephone books are installed and suspended from the rod 26 as described above. When it is desired to use them, the desired binder is swung upwardly and the binder covers 44 are opened so that they rest upon the tables as illustrated in broken lines in Figure 1; The book may then be consulted. When it is returned to normal position, the book may be closed and allowed to fall into such position. It has been found that such return to normal position is often damaging to the binder structure and accordingly, the use of the rubber pads 25 at the base of the channels as above mentioned absorbs the sock and is of advantage in safeguarding against damage although no claim is made: thereto. 9

As for installation of the-books in the binder, any" number or thicknesses of books 'may be accommodated. if they will fit within the outer limits of expansion as; controlled by slots 40 and 41. The channel members are: of a width which is greater than that of the binders in their maximum expansion states. When it is desired to expand the binder the tool 80 may be used to release the. balls and, having once been screwed in, the angle plates- 38 and 39 may easily he slid outwardly because the ball carrier is in elevated position relative to the wedge. After the books have been installed by placing them in position and then inserting the rods 50 as desired and thereafter hooking them into the appropriate slots of end extension 51, the tool 80 may be removed. Thereafter the angle plates 38 and 39 may be pressed together until the telephone books are firmly embraced. It will be observed that there is substantially no resistance in the binder itself against pressing the angle plates 38 and 39 together of the upper section 74, normally urges the ball carrier and the steel balls into a lower or downward position relative to the wedge portion 75. Accordingly, the normal position of the locking device is that wherein the balls 77 serve as frictional locking means between the wedge portion 75 and the rod or male element 72. The action has been also described in a co-pending application which relates to a locking member, said application being James P. Guinane, Serial No. 491,685, filed March 2, 1955, now abandoned.

In order to release the locking member, a tool 80 (see 7 Figure 6) is provided. Tool 80 is formed with a threaded because the steel balls 77 are, by such action, urged into a non-gripping position. As for the releasing tool 80, its operating end may well be made integral with holding rod actuating tool 61 as by being formed at the top end thereof so that only one tool will be required for both operations.

There has been shown what is considered a preferred embodiment of the structure but it is obvious that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from its spirit.

What isclaimed is:

1. A book binder for use in a book supporting structure having books in binders swingably suspended from a support, said binder comprising side covers, a fixed rear plate, a rearwardly off-set extension on the upper end of said rear plate, the end of said extension being rolled to form a hinge for swingably supporting the binder from a hinge rod, a pair of mutually outwardly slidable plates at the back of said fixed plate for varying the width and capacity of the binder and a two-piece locking member disposed rearwardly of said pair of slidable plates and having one of its two pieces connected to one slidable plate and the other to the other slidable plate, each of said slidable plates including respectively aligned transverse slots, and rivet members disposed in said slots.

2. A binder according to claim 1 and including a second fixed plate overlying and connected to said first mentioned fixed plate, means on said second fixed plate to support a plurality of holding rods, and at least one holding rod swingably secured to one end of said second fixed plate and removably connected to the other end thereof.

3. A binder according to claim 2 and wherein said twopiece locking member comprises a male rod element and a female element having a lower wedge portion and a tubular ball carrier having gripping balls for locking the wedge portion to the male rod element, a spring for urging said ball carrier downwardly where the balls are forced by said wedge portion to grip the rod element, and the upper inner wall of said tubular ball carrier being threaded whereby it may be engaged by a correspondingly threaded tool and pulled upwardly against the action of said spring to release said balls from its locking position.

4. A book supporting structure comprising side covers, a fixed rear plate having an ofi-set extension at the top end thereof, a hinge elementformed on the outer end of said extension, a pair of outwardly slidable plates below said rear plate and operative to vary the width and capacity of the binder, and means to lock said pair of plates in any adjusted position of Width.

5. A binder according to claim 4 and wherein said locking means comprises a two-piece locking member, said slidable plates being overlapping and being parallel to and underlying said fixed rear plate and having angle brackets which are respectively connected to said side covers, a pair of downwardly depending plates respectively connected to said angle brackets, one of said looking means being connected to one of said downwardly depending plates and the other locking member being connected to the other downwardly depending plate.

6. A binder according to claim 5 and wherein said.

two-piece locking member comprises a male rod element and a female element having a lower wedge portion and a tubular ball carrier having gripping balls for locking 6 the wedge portion to the male rod element, a spring for urging said ball carrier downwardly where the balls are forced by said wedge portion to grip the rod element, and the upper inner wall of said tubular ball carrier being threaded whereby it may be engaged by a correspondingly threaded tool and pulled upwardly against the action of said spring to release said balls from its locking position. 7. A book supporting structure comprising side covers, a fixed rear plate having a rearwardly off-set extension at the top end thereof, a hinge element formed on the outer end of said extension, a pair of outwardly slidable plates below said rear plate and operative to vary the width and capacity of the binder, means to lock said pair of plates in any adjusted position of width, a second fixed rear plate connected to an overlying said first mentioned fixed rear plate, and an adjustable holding rod swingably secured to one end of said second fixed rear plate and removably connected to the other end thereof for clamping a book against said second fixed rear plate.

8. A binder according to claim 7 and wherein said locking means comprises a two-piece locking member, said slidable plates being overlapping and being parallel to and underlying said first fixed rear plate and each having angle brackets which are respectively connected to said side covers, a pair of downwardly depending plates respectively connected to said angle brackets, one of said locking members being connected to one of said downwardly depending plates and the other locking member being connected to the other downwardly depending plate.

9. A binder according to claim 8 and including upward projections formed at each end of said second fixed rear plate, said holding rod being swingably secured to one of said upward projections and being removably secured to the other of said upward projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 874,919 1 Boehner Dec. 24, 1907 1,254,224 Hauser Jan. 22, 1918 1,632,249 Steenrod June 14, 1927 1,793,076 Franz Feb. 17, 1931 1,923,096 Kelley, et al Aug. 22, 1933 2,167,013 Unger, et al. July 25, 1939 2,771,075 Haskin Nov. 20, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 160,589 Switzerland June 1, 1933 455,549 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1936 513,307 Great Britain Dec. 28, 1937 

